Obafemi Martins

2014 (Seattle): Martins, the Volkswagen MVP runner-up, completed perhaps the most prolific season in Sounders FC history. In 31 MLS appearances, Martins scored 17 goals and added 13 assists, setting the club’s single-season marks for most goals and most points, and tying the assist record. Seattle’s record was 12-0-0 in matches Martins scored. His four game-winning assists and his three game-winning goals ranked tied-second on the club. On two occasions, Martins recorded a four-match scoring streak (March 15-April 5; April 19-May 7). He recorded two goals and two assists in a 4-2 win at Portland (August 24). During the postseason, Martins played for all 360 minutes. In the U.S. Open Cup, made two appearances as a substitute, and recorded the game-winning assist in the championship game against Philadelphia (September 16). In addition, Martins was named to the 2014 MLS All-Star Fan XI and earned MLS Player of the Week honors in the 24th week of the season. His chip near the touchline against San Jose on May 17 earned MLS Goal of the Year honors. He was named to the MLS Team of the Week 10 times: Week 3, Week 7, Week 8, Week 11, Week 24, Week 26, Week 27, Week 29, Week 30, and Week 32.

2013 (Seattle): Made 20 appearances in first MLS season after being signed as a Designated Player early on in 2013. Finished tied for the team-lead with 20 points, scoring eight goals (tied-second) and four assists (tied-third). Finished tied-third in MLS with five game-winning goals, matching the club record, and ranked second on the club with two game-winning assists. Team was 9-0-0 when he scored or assisted, and his 0.49 goals per game ranked 10th in MLS. Scored first goal for Sounders FC in 1-0 win at COL (4/20), then went on to score in next two games, a 4-0 win vs. SJ (5/11) and a 4-2 win vs. DAL (5/18). Scored game-winner in 2-0 win at CHV (6/1) on a ball from Lamar Neagle, then assisted Neagle’s 81st minute game-winner in 3-2 win vs. VAN (6/8). Scored twice in 2-0 win vs. DC (7/3), making him the fastest player in club history to score six goals (636 minutes). Assisted on both goals in 2-1 win vs. CHV (7/28). Netted opening goal in 3-0 win vs. DAL (8/3). Recorded goal and assist in 2-0 win vs. RSL (9/13). Made club debut vs. POR (3/16) and first start at RSL (3/30). Made lone postseason appearance when he played 41 minutes in 3-2 loss at POR (11/7).

2012/13 (Levante): Signed with La Liga side Levante on September 13, 2012. Scored seven goals with two assists in 21 league games, and scored twice in three UEFA Europa League matches.

2011/12 (FC Rubin Kazan): Made seven appearances in Russia’s top-flight and seven more in all competitions in first full season with FC Rubin Kazan.

2010/11 (FC Rubin Kazan/Birmingham City): Signed with Russia’s FC Rubin Kazan, appearing in five matches before joining Birmingham City of the English Premier League on loan. Made six appearances with two goals before rejoining Rubin.

2009/10 (VfL Wolfsburg): Spent one season with German Bundesliga side VfL Wolfsburg. Scored six goals in 16 league games (seven starts).

2008-2009 (Newcastle United): In his final season with Newcastle, Martins scored eight goals in 24 total matches, and made an additional appearance in League Cup.

2006-2007 (Newcastle United): In his first season in England, Martins appeared in a career-high 46 total matches. He scored 11 goals in 33 league matches, six goals in UEFA Champions League play, and made two appearances in the FA Cup and League Cup, respectively.

2005-2006 (Internazionale): In his final season in Italy’s Serie A, Martins tallied 13 goals across 44 total appearances. Against league competition, Martins scored nine goals in 28 appearances. He also tallied two goals apiece in Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League.

2004-2005 (Internazionale): Martins scored the most goals of his career during this campaign—he netted 22 goals in 45 appearances. In league play, Martins made 31 appearances, scoring 11 goals. In Coppa Italia, he scored six goals in six matches, while adding five goals in eight matches of UEFA Champions League.

2003-2004 (Internazionale): Martins scored seven goals in 25 league appearances, plus three goals on nine appearances in UEFA Champions League and another goal in three Coppa Italia matches. It was the first time in Martins’ career he reached double-digits for goals in one season.

2002-2003 (Internazionale): Martins made his first appearance in Serie A, as he made four appearances in league play, scoring one goal. He also played in four UEFA Champions League matches, scoring two goals, and appeared in two Coppa Italia matches. Martins made his debut as a substitute against Newcastle United.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Made first appearance for Nigeria National Team on May 29, 2004 against Ireland. Has been capped 38 times and scored 18 goals in international play. Made two appearances in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, playing a total of 71 minutes in First Stage against Korea and Argentina. Played in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

PERSONAL

Martins began his youth career in 1999 with FC Ebedi. He left Nigeria at age 16 to join Italy’s Reggiana. He has two brothers, Oladipupo Olarotini Martins and John Ronan Martins, who both play professionally.